Bengaluru’s Police Commissioner, B Dayananda, engaged in an interactive Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on X (formerly Twitter) that lasted an hour. During this session, he took the opportunity to address a diverse array of issues raised by netizens, ranging from domestic violence and moral policing to road rage and emergency response.
One user, Vivek Ravindranath (@gemvivek), drew attention to the rising instances of moral policing by auto drivers and activists in Bengaluru. He questioned whether such actions were legally permissible and sought information on steps being taken to prevent these incidents from becoming a trend on social media. Commissioner Dayananda swiftly responded, clarifying that the law does not permit moral policing by anyone. He encouraged individuals to report any such instances, whether in the real or virtual world, to the police.
Another query from Prasanna Kumar (@pprasanaa) centered on the responsiveness of the emergency helpline, #112. The user raised concerns about citizens perceiving the helpline as unresponsive during times of crisis. In response, Commissioner Dayananda assured that #Namma112, the city’s robust patrolling system, operates as a technology-driven and humane response mechanism that functions around the clock. A user named Kartik (@thestratink) brought up the issue of footpath encroachments by commercial entities. He expressed frustration about the cyclical nature of addressing the issue, wherein initial action is followed by a return to encroachments after a few hours. In his reply, Commissioner Dayananda acknowledged that footpath encroachment has long been a challenge affecting pedestrian movement and safety. He highlighted ongoing efforts in collaboration with civic agencies to tackle this problem and assured the community of their commitment to finding lasting solutions. The AMA session demonstrated the willingness of the Bengaluru Police Commissioner to engage with citizens and address their concerns directly. The responses provided insights into the city’s law enforcement initiatives and the determination to create safer, more accommodating urban spaces for all residents.
